TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY HERB KLITZNER COMMENDED – North Bergen Township Attorney Herb Klitzner was commended by the mayor and commissioners upon his retirement after nearly 30 years of service to the township. “I can’t thank Mayor Sacco enough,” said Klitzner. “I can’t thank the people enough that I had the pleasure of working with over these years. I wasn’t born and raised in North Bergen but they all made me feel like I was.” From left: Commissioner Frank Gargiulo, Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Commissioner Allen Pascual, Klitzner, Commissioner Theresa Ferraro, Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, Freeholder-elect Anthony Vainieri.

The healthcare workers union contends that caregivers have been working under expired contracts for three months. Unfair labor practice charges have been filed against Alaris for refusing to bargain in good faith.

Among the issues are proposed cuts threatening workers’ jobs, higher health premiums and reduced benefits for employees, and insufficient staffing levels at the four facilities.

The union is also calling for Alaris to “be forthright to nursing home residents and their families about its plan to tear down the facility at Boulevard East [in Guttenberg] to build a 14-story luxury high-rise,” according to a press release.

Dates for the potential strike have not been announced.

NYC concerts generate NJ noise complaints

The summer concert series JBL Live at Pier 97 began in July along the Hudson River and immediately generated noise complaints from the Jersey side. Residents in West New York said the sound was so loud they could not hear their televisions inside their homes.

Community Affairs Representative Mike Dugan from Midtown North in Manhattan received 11 phone complaints from NJ residents after two concerts last weekend. He said the concert promoters were in compliance with city regulations but the city would work with them on addressing the situation.

Donna Eichmeyer, representing concert promoters Live Nation and the Hudson River Park Trust, responded to queries by stating, “Some concerned New Jersey residents called and emailed after recent shows. After being notified of these concerns we immediately took action to decrease sound travelling across the Hudson River, including working closely with a sound expert and to remedy the issues prior to the next series of events that commence in early August.”

The promoters declined to specify what actions were being taken. In previous years concerts took place at Pier 26 in Manhattan but they were moved this year due to noise complaints from NYC residents.

The next concert is scheduled for Aug. 15.

‘Cancer. Must. End.’ photography series debuts in Fort Lee

On Aug. 2, as part of #JLMovement, a 30-day initiative to promote cancer prevention, a series of unique photos by art photographer Tatiana Teo will debut in Fort Lee. The series, titled “Cancer.Must.End.” is based on the memories of North Bergen resident Mina-Jacqueline Au and her 23 year old niece, Jacqueline Li, who passed away last November from cancer. The photos capture the urgency of conquering cancer today – not tomorrow.

The “Cancer.Must.End.” series will debut at the #JLMovement kickoff event on Aug. 2 hosted by Club Metro of Fort Lee. Guests will be able to view and enjoy the entire photo series, and can bid and purchase each photo. All proceeds will benefit Stand Up to Cancer.

Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) is a groundbreaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research that will get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C is bringing together the best and the brightest researchers and encouraging collaboration instead of competition among the entire cancer community.

#JLMovement was launched by former Bravo mom and luxury lifestyle expert Mina-Jacqueline Au in memory of her niece Jacqueline Li. The movement is a 30-day initiative to end cancer and promote cancer prevention. Aug. 2, the launch date of #JLMovement, would have been Jacqueline’s 24th birthday.

Club Metro is at 1642 Schlosser St. in Fort Lee. The event will begin with a 90-minute Zumba jam session at 11:30. Tickets are $5 for members, $10 for non-members, or $20 for a VIP pass including goody bags and a preview brunch at 10:30. Call (201) 944-2725 or visit www.Facebook.com/JLMovement for more information.

Attempted rape on secluded path in West New York

A woman was allegedly assaulted while heading home on the staircase across from Riverwalk Place last week. The woman had left Starbucks about 10 p.m. on July 15 when a man grabbed her and dragged her into the bushes. He allegedly tried to rape her before being interrupted by nearby voices and fleeing.

The area around Riverwalk Place is well-lit at night and considered safe. The staircase sees little traffic after dark and is bounded by shrubs and trees. Portions are out of sight of the road and other buildings.

The victim was checked for signs of sexual battery and investigators are looking to match any DNA samples, according to reports.

The police are searching for the perpetrator and ask for any information from the public.

Gold Coast Regional Chamber to honor William Procida

The Gold Coast Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced that William “Billy” Procida, founder and president of Procida Funding & Advisors, LLC, has been chosen as honoree representing the chamber’s Leader in Real Estate and Finance for their upcoming 3rd Annual Leadership Awards Dinner gala on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014.

The Gold Coast Regional Chamber of Commerce brings together businesses from Englewood Cliffs all the way to Jersey City. Their annual Leadership Awards Dinner – which will be held this year at Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen – is a prestigious five-course dinner gala recognizing community leaders in their respective fields and allowing attendees to network and pay homage to honorees.

Over the course of his 30-year career Procida has been a subcontractor, general contractor, developer, real estate broker, restructuring advisor, and private equity fund manager. He has completed over $2 billion in projects in various capacities. He currently manages the 100 Mile Fund, which provides bridge, mezzanine and equity for distressed and value add real estate.

Also being awarded this year will be Paul T. Imbarrato of Let it Grow, Inc. who will be recognized as the chamber’s Leader in Landscaping and Site Construction Beautification.

Palisades Medical Center announces schedule of upcoming classes

Classes include Newborn Baby Care, Keys to Successful Breastfeeding, Friends and Family CPR, and a two-day course in Childbirth Education, covering the process of labor, including understanding the labor process, breathing and relaxation techniques to work with your body, the role of the support person, options for pain medications and medical interventions, Caesarean birth, understand your changing body after birth, newborn appearance, and procedures after birth. The Childbirth Education series also includes a tour of Palisades Medical Center’s labor and delivery unit.

Costs range from $35 per couple to $150 per couple depending on the class. Additional information is available at www.palisadesmedical.org. The Palisades Medical Center is at 7600 River Road in North Bergen. To register or for more information, call Robin Petrick at (201) 295-4823.

Hackensack Riverkeeper and United Water partner for a weekend of paddling

On Friday, July 25, local businesses will compete for the prestigious Corporate Cup beginning at 10 a.m. Competing will be teams from Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, Excel Termite and Pest Control, Grand Dynamics International, PSE&G, Star Ravioli, TD Bank, and more. Then on Saturday, July 26 Lake Tappan will be open to the public for a day of paddling beginning at 9 a.m.

Lunches will be provided by Whole Foods and Shop Rite supermarkets. The event is presented by Hackensack Riverkeeper and United Water. All proceeds will go to support the efforts of Hackensack Riverkeeper – the Hackensack River Watershed’s preeminent advocate for fishable, drinkable and swimmable water.

The Lake Tappan Watershed Recreation Program entrance is off Washington Avenue North, Old Tappan. For more information, visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org or call (201) 968-0808.

Seniors Program on July 29: A Brief History of New Jersey’s Lighthouses

The country’s oldest working lighthouse is in Sandy Hook, but why is it so far from the water? How could a single light be seen 70 miles offshore? U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Instructor Chet Nesley is back with more history from the shore, with Seeing the Light: A Brief History of New Jersey’s Lighthouses and the U.S. Life-Saving Service.

On Tuesday, July 29 at 6 p.m. at the Meadowlands Environmental Center in Lyndhurst, Nesley will give a free talk about New Jersey lighthouse locations, unique designs, and the evolution of lighthouse technology. He will also discuss the roles of lighthouse keepers and the U.S. Life-Saving Service, the predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard. Registration is recommended and appreciated. Call (201) 777-2431 to register.

First Sunday-of-the-Month Bird Walk is Aug. 3

Enjoy summer nature by joining this free two-hour guided nature walk in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. Participants will walk around parts of the park, looking for shore birds, raptors, and other birds. The walk, sponsored by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) and the Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS), starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3 outside the Meadowlands Environment Center. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. Participants will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To RSVP, call (201) 230-4983.